FISHES OP THE PHILIPPINE SEAS AND ADJACENT WATERS 225 



D. XII, 14, I to 16, I, fourth spine 1% to 2 in head, fourth ray 1% 

 to 1%; A. Ill, 12, I or 11, i, second spine 2^ to 2%, fourth ray IK to 

 VA; caudal 1% to l}i, hind edge very slightly concave as contracted, 

 truncate as expanded, little convex in young; least depth of caudal 

 peduncle 2% to 2%; pectoral 1% to 1%; ventral 1% to Iji. 



Pale brown generally, marked all over head and body with dusky to 

 blackish-brown rounded spots; larger and less numerous in young; 

 with age spots more irregular, often as rings, arcs, and interspaces 

 with smaller variable spots or blotches even to dots. Spinous dorsal 

 membranes blackish, likewise outer or unsealed portions of all vertical 

 fins; on soft dorsal and anal large dark blotches like on body extend 

 basally, while caudal with several rows of small dark spots. Pectoral 

 uniformly pale brown. Ventral neutral dusky to blackish slate ter- 

 minally. Strewn with dark brown spots basally. 



Figure 12.— Oplegnathus punctatus (Schlegel), young 



China, Japan. Reported from the Philippines by Elera, though not 

 since verified with materials. 



U.S.N.M. No. 59683. Hamashima, Japan. Dr. H. M. Smith. Length, 60 to 80 

 mm. Two examples. Quite dark and intervening pale areas with small, 

 scattered, ill-defined whitish spots or dots. 



U.S.N.M. No. 59684. Hamashima. Dr. H. M. Smith. Length, 55 mm?. 



U.S.N.M. No. 59685. Matsushima. Dr. H. M. Smith. Length, 162 mm. 



A.N.S.P. Nos. 29609, 29610. Wakanoura. Jordan and Snyder. 



Family GERRIDAE 



Body compressed, back more or less elevated, form usually ovoid. 

 Eyes rather large, lateral. Mouth moderate, before end of snout, 

 greatly protractile, extends downward when protruded. Premaxil- 



